Laughter and squeals of delight fill up the room. Colourful paper has been thrown everywhere, there’s even a small child buried underneath some of it playing peek-a-boo with my dad. There’s so many people packed into my Grandma’s little lounge room that we’re practically on top of each other. Pretty soon there’ll be tummies growling with hunger for the feast that’s been prepared.

It’s not long before my mischievous cousins are being chased and thrown around by my siblings and I. In amongst the rush to prepare food for lunch, over the food that dazzles the tastebuds and in all the spaces in between we exchange stories about life and share in some giggles. And then in the afternoon when the food has put us all in a daze there’ll be plenty of napping family members and probably a movie or two.

It’s loud and it’s crazy but I wouldn’t exchange anything in the world for spending Christmas with my family packed into my Grandma’s lounge room to unwrap presents before spilling out into other spaces for more Christmas activities.

Merry Christmas beautiful girls! May your Christmas be filled with the love, laughter and the warmth of your loved ones!